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[246]

Twenty-seventh regiment Massachusetts Infantry.

Col. Horace C. Lee, Bvt. Brig. U. S. Vols.

Field and Staff.Line.Band.companies.Unassigned Recruits.Totals.
ABCDEFGHIK
Number on regimental rolls,—
Officers,168096
Enlisted men,1142512915619015113215212112915414041,497
Totals,1,593
Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.28425285336551
Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment.31212110
Totals,8455387457561
Actual total of members of regiment,—
Officers,168096
Enlisted men,362512515118514812414511712414713541,436
Totals,1,532

The 27th Mass. Infantry was recruited in the western counties of Massachusetts by Horace C. Lee, afterward colonel of the regiment, in September and October, 1861. Most of the men being mustered in September 27, and the line officers on October 25, it left the State Nov. 2, 1861, and encamped near Annapolis, Md. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade, General Burnside's forces, November 27, and, leaving Fortress Monroe for South Carolina Jan. 11, 1862, took part at the battle of Roanoke Island February 8. It was engaged with loss at New Berne March 14, and, encamping in the vicinity, it shared from time to time in outpost duty at Batchelder's Creek. In July a reconnoissance was made toward Trenton, N. C. It remained with headquarters at New Berne during the summer, and in the autumn served in detachments on outpost duty at Washington, N. C., Newport Barracks and Batchelder's Creek. Forming part of the 3d Brigade, with Colonel Lee as brigade commander, the regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lyman, took part in the Tarboroa expedition in November, and later in the Goldsboroa expedition. In January, 1863, it was posted at Washington, N. C., and was active there in the engagements in March and on duty in the town during the siege, returning to New Berne April 25. Companies G and H, stationed at Plymouth during that time, were engaged at Rocky Hoc Creek near Winfield in March. The regiment, reunited and stationed with headquarters at New Berne until October, moved on the 16th of that month to Newport News, and, becoming part of General Butler's forces, served during the winter as provost guard at Portsmouth and Norfolk. At this time 343 members of the regiment re-enlisted; 220 returned January 15 from a month's furlough in Massachusetts. The command moved, April 27, 1864, to Yorktown, and reaching Bermuda Hundred May 5, formed part of Heckman's Red Star Brigade, 18th Army Corps, and was engaged near Port Walthall May 6 and 7, at Swift Creek May 9 and at Drewry's Bluff May 14 to 16; many were taken prisoners, including Colonel Lee. Under command of Maj. William A. Walker it joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor June 1, and took part in the movements and engagements of the following days, losing heavily in the assault of June 3, when Major Walker was killed. It was actively engaged under Major Moore before Petersburg June 15 and 18, and took part in the siege until withdrawn from the front August 25. On September 17 it moved to Portsmouth, and those whose term of service had expired left Fortress Monroe on the 23d, and were mustered out at Springfield, Mass., Sept. 29, 1864. The regiment returned to Beaufort, N. C., September 21, and was stationed in the vicinity until the spring of 1865, engaging in service at Plymouth from December 7 to January 8. In March the regiment moved towards Kinston, and was engaged at South West Creek March 8. It remained afterward on duty at New Berne until its muster out, June 26, 1865. Reaching Massachusetts July 7, it was paid off and discharged at Readville July 19, 1865.

1 Including non-commissioned staff.

2 Including non-commissioned staff.

3 Including non-commissioned staff.

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